The life of Jefferson Davis

Front matter

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Preface

In offering this volume to the public, the occasion is embraced to avow, with unfeigned candor, a painful sense of the inadequate manner in which the design has been executed. Emboldened rather by his own earnest convictions, than by confidence in his capacity, the author has undertaken to contribute to American History, an extended narration of the more prominent incidents in the life of Jefferson Davis. Whatever may be the decision of the reader upon the merits of the performance, the author has the satisfaction arising from a conscientious endeavor to subserve the ends of truth. In pursuit of the purpose to •write facts only, to the aid of familiar acquaintance with many of the topics discussed, and to information derived from the most accurate sources, has been brought laborious investigation of numerous interesting papers, which his avocation made accessible. It is therefore claimed that no statement is to be found in this volume, which is not generally conceded to be true, or which is not a conclusion amply justified by indisputable evidence.

Nor is it to be fairly alleged that the work exhibits undue sectional bias. As a Southern man, who, in common with his countrymen of the South, was taught to believe the principles underlying the movement for Southern independence, the only possible basis of Republicanism, the author has regarded, as a worthy incentive, the desire to vindicate, as best he might, the motives and conduct of the South and its late leader.

Disclaiming the purpose of promoting sectional bitterness, or of a wholesale indictment of the Northern people, he deems it needless to dwell upon the obvious propriety of discrimination. Holding in utter abhorrence the authors of those outrages, wanton barbarities and petty persecutions,

(iii)

IV PEEFACE.

of which her people were the victims, the South yet feels the respect of an honorable enemy for those distinguished soldiers, Buell, Hancock, McClellan and others, who served efficiently the cause in which they were employed, and still illustrated the practices of Christian warfare. To fitly characterize the remorseless faction in antagonism to the sentiments of these honorable men, it is only necessary to recall the malice which assails a "lost cause" with every form of detraction, and aspires to crown a triumph of arms with the degradation and despair of a conquered people.

In his especial solicitude for a favorable appreciation of his efforts, by his Southern countrymen, the author has striven to avoid affront to those considerations of delicacy which yet affect many incidents of the late war. He has not sought to revive, unnecessarily, questions upon which Southern sentiment was divided, and has rarely assailed the motives or capacity of individuals in recognized antagonism to the policy of President Davis. Perhaps a different course would have imparted interest to his work, and have more clearly established the vindication of its subject. But besides being wholly repugnant to the tastes of the author, it would have been in marked conflict with the consistent aim of Mr. Davis' career, which was to heal, not to aggravate, the differences of the South.

A large part of the labor, which would otherwise have devolved upon this enterprise, if adequately performed, had already been supplied by the writings of Professor Bledsoe. To the profound erudition and philosophical genius of that eminent writer, as conspicuously displayed in his work entitled, "Is Davis a Traitor?" the South may, with confidence, intrust its claims upon the esteem of posterity.

The author heartily acknowledges the intelligent aid, and generous encouragement, which he has received from his publishers.

Januakt, 1868.

Introduction

(Page 13-19.) ATTRACTIONS OP THE LATE WAR TO POSTERITY MR. LINCOLN'S REMARK — DIS- ADVANTAGES OP MR. DAVIS' SITUATION — SUCCESS NOT SYNONYMOUS WITH MERIT ORIGIN OF THE INJUSTICE DONE MR. DAVIS REMARK OF MACAU- LAY REMARK OF MR. GLADSTONE THE EFFECT THAT CONFEDERATE SUC- CESS WOULD HAVE HAD UPON THE FAME OF MR. DAVIS — POPULAR AFFECTION FOR HIM IN THE SOUTH — HIS VINDICATION ASSURED.

Chapter I

BIRTH — EDUCATION AT WEST POINT — IN THE ARMY — RETIREMENT — POLITICAL

TRAINING IN AMERICA — MR. DAVIS NOT EDUCATED FOR POLITICAL LIFE AFTER

THE AMERICAN MODEL BEGINS HIS POLITICAL CAREER BY A SPEECH AT THE

MISSISSIPPI DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION — A GLANCE PROSPECTIVELY AT HIS FUTURE PARTY ASSOCIATIONS — HIS CONSISTENT ATTACHMENT TO STATES' RIGHTS PRINCIPLES — A SKETCH OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE QUESTION OF

' STATES' RIGHTS — MR. "CALHOUN NOT THE AUTHOR OF THAT PRINCIPLE — HIS VINDICATION FROM THE CHARGE OF DISUNIONISM — MR. DAVIS THE SUCCESSOR OF MR. CALHOUN AS THE STATES' RIGHTS LEADER.

Chapter II

(Page 34-48.) RESULTS OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN 1844 MR. DAVIS ELECTED TO CON- GRESS— HIS FIRST SESSION — PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE — DOUG- LAS, HUNTER, SEDDON, ETC. DAVIS' RAPID ADVANCEMENT IN REPUTA- TION— RESOLUTIONS OFFERED BY HIM — SPEECHES ON THE OREGON EXCITE-

VI CONTENTS.

MENT, AND ON THE RESOLUTION OF THANKS TO GENERAL TAYLOR AND HIS

ARMY NATIONAL SENTIMENTS EMBODIED IN THESE AND OTHER SPEECHES

A CONTRAST IN THE MATTER OF PATRIOTISM MASSACHUSETTS AND MIS- SISSIPPI IN THE MEXICAN WAR — DEBATE WITH ANDREW JOHNSON JOHN

QUINCY ADAMS' ESTIMATE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.

Chapter III. The Name Of Jefferson Dayis Inseparable From The History Of The

MEXICAN WAR HIS ESSENTIALLY MILITARY CHARACTER AND TASTES JOINS

GENERAL TAYLOR'S ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE, AS COLONEL OF THE FAMOUS "MISSISSIPPI RIFLES" — -MONTEREY BUENA YISTA GENERAL TAYLOR'S AC- COUNT OF DAVIS' CONDUCT DAVIS' REPORT OF THE ACTION NOVELTY AND

ORIGINALITY OF HIS STRATEGY AT BUENA VISTA INTERESTING STATEMENT

OF HON. CALEB CUSHING RETURN OF DAVIS TO THE UNITED STATES TRI- UMPHANT RECEPTION AT HOME PRESIDENT POLK TENDERS HIM A BRIGA- DIER'S COMMISSION, WHICH HE DECLINES ON PRINCIPLE.

Chapter IV

MR. DAVIS IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE, FIRST BY EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT, AND SUBSEQUENTLY BY UNANIMOUS CHOICE OF THE LEGISLATURE OF HIS

STATE POPULAR ADMIRATION NOT LESS FOR HIS CIVIC TALENTS THAN HIS

MILITARY SERVICES FEATURES OF HIS PUBLIC CAREER HIS CHARACTER

AND CONDUCT AS A SENATOR AS AN ORATOR AND PARLIAMENTARY LEADER

HIS INTREPIDITY AN INCIDENT WITH HENRY CLAY DAVIS THE LEADER

OF THE STATES' RIGHTS PARTY IN CONGRESS THE AGITATION OF 1850

DAVIS OPPOSES THE COMPROMISE FOLLY OF THE SOUTH IN ASSENTING TO

THAT SETTLEMENT DAVIS NOT A DISUNIONIST IN 1850, NOR A REBEL IN

1861 HIS CONCEPTION OF THE CHARACTER OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

LOGICAL ABSURDITY OF CLAY'S POSITION EXPOSED BY DAVIS THE IDEAL

UNION OF THE LATTER WHY HE OPPOSED THE COMPROMISE — THE NEW

MEXICO BILL DAVIS' GROWING FAME AT THIS PERIOD — HIS FREQUENT EN- COUNTERS WITH CLAY, AND WARM FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THEM SIGNAL

TRIUMPH OF THE UNION SENTIMENT, AND ACQUIESCENCE OF THE SOUTH.

CONTENTS. TH

Chapter V. Opposition To The Compromise In South Carolina And Mississippi — Davis

A CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR HIS DEFEAT REALLY A PERSONAL TRIUMPH

IN RETIREMENT, SUPPORTS GENERAL PIERCE'S ELECTION DECLINES AN AP- POINTMENT IN PIERCE' S CABINET, BUT SUBSEQUENTLY ACCEPTS SECRETARY- SHIP OF WAR REMARKABLE UNITY OF PIERCE'S ADMINISTRATION, AND

HIGH CHARACTER OF THE EXECUTIVE — DAVIS AS SECRETARY OF WAR KAN- SAS-NEBRASKA BILL AND THE EXCITEMENT WHICH FOLLOWED DAVIS AGAIN

ELECTED TO THE SENATE SPEECHES AT PASS CHRISTIAN AND OTHER POINTS

WHILE ON HIS WAY TO WASHINGTON.

Chapter VI

RETURN OF MR. DAVIS TO THE SENATE — OPENING EVENTS OF MR. BUCHANAN' S

ADMINISTRATION TRUE INTERPRETATION OF THE LEGISLATION OF 1854

SENATOR DOUGLAS THE INSTRUMENT OF DISORGANIZATION IN THE DEMO- CRATIC PARTY HIS ANTECEDENTS AND CHARACTER AN ACCOMPLISHED DEM- AGOGUE—DAVIS AND DOUGLAS CONTRASTED BOTH REPRESENTATIVES OF

THEIR RESPECTIVE SECTIONS DOUGLAS' AMBITION HIS COUP D'ETAT, AND

ITS RESULTS THE KANSAS QUESTION DOUGLAS TRIUMPHS OVER THE SOUTH

AND THE UNITY OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY LOST "SQUATTER SOVER- EIGNTY" PROPERLY CHARACTERIZED DAVIS' COURSE IN THE KANSAS

STRUGGLE DEBATE WITH SENATOR FESSENDEN PEN-AND-INK SKETCH OF

MR. DAVIS AT THIS PERIOD TRUE SIGNIFICANCE OF POLITICAL EVENTS TO

THE SOUTH SHE RIGHTLY INTERPRETS THEM MR. DAVIS' COURSE SUBSE- QUENT TO THE KANSAS IMBROGLIO HIS DEBATES WITH DOUGLAS TWO DIF- FERENT SCHOOLS OF PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKING DAVIS THE LEADER OF THE

REGULAR DEMOCRACY IN THE THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESS HIS RESOLUTIONS

HIS CONSISTENCY — COURSE AS TO GENERAL LEGISLATION VISITS THE NORTH

SPEAKS IN PORTLAND, BOSTON, NEW YORK, AND OTHER PLACES REPLY TO

AN INVITATION TO ATTEND THE WEBSTER BIRTH-DAY FESTIVAL MR. SEW-

ARD'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE "IRREPRESSIBLE CONFLICT" MR. DAVIS BE- FORE MISSISSIPPI DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION PROGRESS OF DISUNION

DISSOLUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SPEECHES OF MR. DAVIS AT PORT- LAND AND IN SENATE.

Vlll CONTENTS

Chapter VII

ELECTION OP ABRAHAM LINCOLN — HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE OP THE EVENT — THE OBJECTS AIMED AT BY HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY IDENTICAL IN THE DIS- CUSSION OF EVENTS OP THE LATE WAR NORTHERN EVASION OF THE REAL

QUESTION THE SOUTH DID NOT ATTEMPT REVOLUTION SECESSION A JUSTI- FIABLE RIGHT EXERCISED BY SOVEREIGN STATES BRIEF REVIEW OF THE

QUESTION WHAT THE FEDERALIST SAYS CHIEF- JUSTICE MARSHALL MR.

MADISON COERCION NOT JUSTIFIED AT THE NORTH PREVIOUS TO THE LATE

WAR — REMARKS OP JOHN QUINCY ADAMS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN — OF HORACE

GREELEY — SUCCESSFUL PERVERSION OF TRUTH BY THE NORTH — PROVOCATIONS TO SECESSION BY THE SOUTH — AGGRESSIONS BY THE NORTH — ITS PUNIC

FAITH LOSS OF THE BALANCE OF POWER PATIENCE OF THE SOUTH

REMARKS OF HON. C. C. CLAY WHAT THE ELECTION OF MR. LINCOLN

MEANT HIS ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY REVELATIONS OP THE OBJECTS OF

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WENDELL PHILLIPS NO SECURITY FOR THE

SOUTH IN THE UNION — MEETING OF CONGRESS — MR. DAVIS' ASSURANCE TO PRESIDENT BUCHANAN CONCILIATORY COURSE OF MR. DAVIS HIS CON- SISTENT DEVOTION TO THE UNION, AND EFFORTS TO SAVE IT FORESEES

WAR AS THE RESULT OF SECESSION, AND URGES THE EXHAUSTION OF EVERY EXPEDIENT TO AVERT IT — THE CRITTENDEN AMENDMENT — HOPES OF ITS ADOPTION — DAVIS WILLING TO ACCEPT IT IN SPITE OF ITS INJUSTICE TO THE SOUTH — REPUBLICAN SENATORS DECLINE ALL CONCILIATORY MEASURES THE CLARKE AMENDMENT WHERE RESTS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DIS- UNION ? — STATEMENTS OF MESSRS. DOUGLAS AND COX — SECESSION OP THE

COTTON STATES A LETTER FROM JEFFERSON DAVIS TO R. B. RHETT, JR.

MR. DAVIS' FAREWELL TO THE SENATE — HIS REASONS FOR WITHDRAWING

RETURNS TO MISSISSIPPI— MAJOR-GENERAL OF STATE FORCES — ORGANIZATION OF THE CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT — MR. DAVIS PRESIDENT OF THE CON- FEDERATE STATES.

Chapter VIII

THE CONFEDERACY ESTABLISHED AND IN OPERATION— CALMNESS AND MODERA- TION OF THE SOUTH THE MONTGOMERY CONSTITUTION THE IMPROVEMENTS

UPON THE FEDERAL INSTRUMENT — POPULAR DELIGHT AT THE SELECTION OP MR. DAVIS AS PRESIDENT — MOTIVES OF HIS ACCEPTANCE — HIS PREFERENCE

CONTENTS. IX

FOR THE ARMY — DAVIS THE SYMBOL OF SOUTHERN CHARACTER AND HOPES —

ON HIS WAY TO MONTGOMERY A CONTRAST INAUGURATION AND INAUGURAL

ADDRESS — THE CONFEDERATE CABINET TOOMBS WALKER MEMMINGEE

BENJAMIN MALLORY REAGAN HISTORICAL POSITION OF PRESIDENT DAVIS

THE TWO POWERS EXTREME DEMOCRACY OF THE NORTH — NOBLE IDEAL

OF REPUBLICANISM CHERISHED BY THE SOUTH DAVIS' REPRESENTATIVE

QUALITIES AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICES THE HISTORIC REPRESENTATIVE OF

THE CONFEDERATE CAUSE EARLY HISTORY OF THE GOVERNMENT AT MONT- GOMERY CONFIDENCE IN PRESIDENT DAVIS UNLIMITED PRESIDENT DAVIS'

ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY HIS MILITARY ADMINISTRATION THE CONFED- ERATE ARMY — WEST POINT — NEGOTIATIONS FOR SURRENDER OF FORTS SUM- TER AND PICKENS — MR. BUCHANAN'S PITIABLE POLICY THE ISSUE OF PEACE

OR WAR PERFIDIOUS COURSE OF THE LINCOLN ADMINISTRATION — MR. SE-

WARD'S DALLIANCE WITH THE CONFEDERATE COMMISSIONERS — HIS DECEP- TIONS— THE EXPEDITION TO PROVISION THE GARRISON OF SUMTER — REDUC- TION OF THE FORT — WAR — GUILT OF THE NORTH — ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WAR.

Chapter IX

EVENTS CONSEQUENT UPON THE BOMBARDMENT OF FORT SUMTER — MR. LINCOLN BEGINS THE WAR BY USURPATION THE BORDER STATES CONTINUED DU- PLICITY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT — VIRGINIA JOINS THE COTTON STATES — AFFAIRS IN MARYLAND, MISSOURI, AND KENTUCKY — UNPROMISING PHASES OF THE SITUATION, AFFECTING THE PROSPECTS OF THE SOUTH — DIVISIONS IN SOUTHERN SENTIMENT — THE NORTHERN DEMOCRACY — PRESI- DENT DAVIS' ANTICIPATIONS REALIZED — HIS RESPONSE TO MR. LINCOLN'S PROCLAMATION OF WAR — PUBLIC ENTHUSIASM IN THE SOUTH — PRESIDENT DAVIS' MESSAGE — VIRGINIA THE FLANDERS OF THE WAR — REMOVAL OF THE

CONFEDERATE CAPITAL TO RICHMOND POLICY OF THAT STEP CONSIDERED

POPULAR REGARD FOR MR. DAVIS IN VIRGINIA — ACTION OF THE VIRGINIAN

AUTHORITIES NORTH CAROLINA; HER NOBLE CONDUCT, AND EFFICIENT AID

TO THE CONFEDERACY MILITARY PREPARATIONS IN VIRGINIA GENERAL

LEE — HIS SERVICES IN THE EARLY MONTHS OF THE WAR — MINOR ENGAGE- MENTS PREPARATIONS FOR THE GREAT STRUGGLE IN VIRGINIA AN IM- PORTANT HISTORICAL QUESTION CHARGES AGAINST MR. DAVIS CONSIDERED

HIS STATESMAN-LIKE PREVISION DID HE ANTICIPATE AND PROVIDE FOR

WAR ? WHEN MR. DAVIS' RESPONSIBILITY BEGAN HIS ENERGETIC PREPAR- ATION THE PREVAILING SENTIMENT AT MONTGOMERY AS TO THE WAR

QUOTATIONS FROM GENERAL EARLY AND GENERAL VON MOLKTE.

X CONTENTS.

Chapter X

CHARACTERISTICS OP THE WAR IN 1861 — THE TWO GOVERNMENTS MORE DI- RECTLY CONNECTED WITH RESULTS IN THE FIELD THAN AT SUBSEQUENT

PERIODS MR. DAVIS' CONNECTION WITH THE MILITARY POLICY OF THE

CONFEDERACY THE CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT ADOPTS, IN THE MAIN, THE

DEFENSIVE POLICY OF THE VIRGINIAN AUTHORITIES FEDERAL PREPARATIONS

— GENERAL SCOTT — DEFENSIVE PLANS OF THE CONFEDERATES — DISTRIBUTION OF THEIR FORCES THE CONFEDERATE CAMPAIGN OF 1861 JUSTIFIED DIS- TRIBUTION OF THE FEDERAL FORCES PROGRESS OF THE CAMPAIGN GENERALS

PATTERSON AND JOHNSTON JUNCTION OF BEAUREGARD AND JOHNSTON

MANASSAS PRESIDENT DAVIS ON THE BATTLE-FIELD — HIS DISPATCH HIS

RETURN TO RICHMOND A SPEECH NEVER PUBLISHED BEFORE REFLECTIONS

UPON THE RESULTS OF MANASSAS — MR. DAVIS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE

ABSENCE OF PURSUIT STONEWALL JACKSON'S VIEWS DAVIS IN FAVOR OF

PURSUIT OF THE FEDERALS MISREPRESENTATIONS MILITARY MOVEMENTS

IN VARIOUS QUARTERS — THE "TRENT AFFAIR" — RESULTS OF THE FIRST YEAR OF THE WAR.

Chapter XI

PROSPECTS AT THE BEGINNING OF 1 862 — EXTREME CONFIDENCE OF THE SOUTH —

EXTRAVAGANT EXPECTATIONS THE RICHMOND EXAMINER ON CONFEDERATE

PROSPECTS WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND AND THE UNITED STATES PREDICTED —

THE BLOCKADE TO BE RAISED THE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY DECREED BY

HEAVEN RESULT OF THE BOASTFUL TONE OF THE SOUTHERN PRESS THE

CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISASTERS OF 1862

PRESIDENT DAVIS URGES PREPARATION FOR A LONG WAR HIS WISE OPPOSI- TION TO SHORT ENLISTMENTS OF TROOPS PREMONITIONS OF MISFORTUNES

IN THE WEST THE CONFEDERATE FORCES IN KENTUCKY GENERAL ALBERT

SIDNEY JOHNSTON HIS CAREER BEFORE THE WAR CHARACTER APPEAR- ANCE THE FRIEND OF JEFFERSON DAVIS MUTUAL ESTEEM SIDNEY JOHN- STON IN KENTUCKY HIS PLANS HIS DIFFICULTIES THE FORCES OF GRANT

AND BUELL CRUEL DILEMMA OF GENERAL SIDNEY JOHNSTON A REVERSE

GRANT CAPTURES FORTS HENRY AND DONELSON — LOSS OF KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE FEDERAL DESIGNS IN THE EAST BURNSIDE CAPTURES ROAN- OKE ISLAND SERIOUS NATURE OF THESE REVERSES POPULAR DISAPPOINT- MENT ORGANIZED OPPOSITION TO THE CONFEDERATE ADMINISTRATION

CHARACTER AND MOTIVES OF THIS OPPOSITION AN EFFORT TO REVOLUTIONIZE

CONTENTS. XI

PRESIDENT DAVIS' CABINET — ASSAULTS UPON SECRETARIES BENJAMIN AND MALLORY CORRECT EXPLANATION OF THE CONFEDERATE REVERSES CON- GRESSIONAL CENSURE OF MR. BENJAMIN SECRETARY MALLORY — CHARAC- TERISTICS OF THE SOUTHERN MIND THE PERMANENT GOVERNMENT SECOND

INAUGURATION OF MR. DAVIS — SEVERITY OF THE SEASON THE CEREMONIES

APPEARANCE OF PRESIDENT DAVIS HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS ITS EFFECT

POPULAR RE-ASSURANCE — MESSAGE TO CONGRESS — COMMENTS OF RICHMOND PRESS.

Chapter XII

POPULAR DELUSIONS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE WAR — A FEW CONFLICTS

AND SACRIFICES NOT SUFFICIENT MORE POSITIVE RECOGNITION OF MR. DAVIS'

VIEWS HIS CANDID AND PROPHETIC ANNOUNCEMENTS MILITARY REFORMS

CONSCRIPTION LAW OF THE CONFEDERACY THE PRESIDENT'S VIEWS AND

CODRSE AS TO THIS LAW — HIS CONSISTENT REGARD FOR CIVIL LIBERTY AND

OPPOSITION TO CENTRALIZATION — RECOMMENDS CONSCRIPTION BENEFICIAL

RESULTS OF THE LAW — GENERAL LEE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, " UNDER THE PRESIDENT" NATURE OF THE APPOINTMENT FALSE IMPRESSIONS COR- RECTED— MR. DAVIS' CONFIDENCE IN LEE, DESPITE POPULAR CENSURE OF THE

LATTER CHANGES IN THE CABINET MR. BENJAMIN' S MANAGEMENT OF THE

WAR OFFICE DIFFICULTIES OF THAT POSITION THE CHARGE OF FAVORITISM

AGAINST MR. DAVIS IN THE SELECTION OF HIS CABINET HIS PERSONAL RE- LATIONS WITH THE VARIOUS MEMBERS OF HIS CABINET — ACTIVITY IN MILI- TARY OPERATIONS THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI BATTLE OF ELK HORN OPERA- TIONS EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI GENERALS SIDNEY JOHNSTON AND BEAURE- GARD ISLAND NO. 10 — CONCENTRATION OF TROOPS BY THE CONFEDERATE

AUTHORITIES — FAVORABLE SITUATION SHILOH A DISAPPOINTMENT DEATH

OF SIDNEY JOHNSTON TRIBUTE OF PRESIDENT DAVIS POPULAR VERDICT

UPON THE BATTLE OF SHILOH GENERALS BEAUREGARD, BRAGG, AND POLK

ON THE BATTLE THE PRESIDENT AGAIN CHARGED WITH "INJUSTICE" TO

BEAUREGARD THE CHARGE ANSWERED— FALL OF NEW ORLEANS NAVAL

BATTLE IN HAMPTON ROADS — NAVAL SUCCESSES OF THE ENEMY.

CHAPTER XIII, u

THE ANACONDA SYSTEM HOW FAR IT WAS SUCCESSFUL TERRITORIAL CON- FIGURATION OF THE SOUTH FAVORABLE TO THE ENEMY ONE THEATRE OF

WAR FAVORABLE TO THE CONFEDERATES THE FEDERAL FORCES IN VIRGINIA

Xll CONTENTS.

the confederate forces — the potomac lines — critical situation in

, virginia evacuation of manassas transfer of operations to the

peninsula magruder's lines evacuation of torktown strength

of the opposing forces before richmond — destruction of the "virginia"— panic in richmond — mr. davis' calmness and confidence — he avows himself " ready to leave his bones in the capital of the

confederacy" repulse of the gunboats "mementoes of heroism"

jackson's valley campaign — a series of victories, with important

results battle of " seven pines " a failure general johnston

wounded — president davis on the field — president davis and general johnston an attempt to forestall the decision of history —

results of lee's accession to command — johnston's generalship —

MR. DAVIS' ESTIMATE OF LEE — LEe's PLANS — THE ADVISORY RELATION BE- TWEEN DAVIS AND LEE THEIR MUTUAL CONFIDENCE NEVER INTERRUPTED

CONFEDERATE STRATEGY AFTER m'cLELLAn's DEFEAT BEFORE RICHMOND — MAGICAL CHANGE IN THE FORTUNES OF THE CONFEDERACY — THE INVASION

OF MARYLAND ANTIETAM TANGIBLE PROOFS OF CONFEDERATE SUCCESS

GENERAL BRAGG HIS KENTUCKY CAMPAIGN CONFEDERATE HOPES BATTLE

OF PERRYVILLE BRAGG RETREATS ESTIMATE OF THE KENTUCKY CAMPAIGN

OF 1862 — OTHER INCIDENTS OF THE WESTERN CAMPAIGN REMOVAL OF

M'CLELLAN A SOUTHERN OPINION OF M'CLELLAN BATTLE OF FREDERICKS- BURG— BATTLE OF MURFREESBORo' — BATTLE OF PRAIRIE GROVE — THE SITUA- TION AT THE CLOSE OF 1862 — PRESIDENT DAVIS' RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONGRESS — HIS VISIT TO THE SOUTH-WEST — ADDRESS BEFORE THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE.

Chapter XIV

RESPECT OF MANKIND FOR THE SOUTH — THE MOST PROSPEROUS PERIOD OF THE WAR — HOW MR. DAVIS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DISTINCTION OF THE SOUTH — FACTION SILENCED — THE EUROPEAN ESTIMATE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS — HOW HE DIGNIFIED THE CAUSE OF THE SOUTH — HIS STATE PAPERS — HIS ADMINIS- TRATION OF CIVIL MATTERS — THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE TWO PRESIDENTS — MR. DAVIS' OBSERVANCE OF CONSTITUTIONAL RESTRAINTS — ARBITRARY AD- MINISTRATION OF MR. LINCOLN — MR. DAVIS' MODERATION — HE SEEKS TO CON- DUCT THE WAR UPON CIVILIZED IDEAS — AN ENGLISH CHARACTERIZATION OF DAVIS — COLONEL FREEMANTLE's INTERVIEW WITH HIM — MR. GLADSTONE'S OPINION — THE PURELY PERSONAL AND SENTIMENTAL ADMIRATION OF EUROPE FOR THE SOUTH — INCONSISTENT CONDUCT OF THE EUROPEAN GREAT POWERS — THE LONDON " TIMES " BEFORE M'CLELLAN'S DEFEAT — THE CONFEDERACY EN- TITLED TO RECOGNITION BY EUROPE — ENGLAND'S SYMPATHY WITH THE NORTH

CONTENTS. Xlll

— DIGNIFIED ATTITUDE OF PRESIDENT DAVIS UPON THE SUBJECT OF RECOGNI- TION— HIS EARLY PREDICTION UPON THE SUBJECT — FRANCE AND ENGLAND EXPOSED TO INJURIOUS SUSPICIONS — TERGIVERSATIONS OF THE PALMERSTON CABINET THE BROAD FARCE OF "BRITISH NEUTRALITY" — ENGLAND DE- CLINES TO UNITE WITH FRANCE IN AN OFFER OF MEDIATION BETWEEN THE AMERICAN BELLIGERENTS— ENGLAND'S "POLICY" — SHE SOUGHT THE RUIN OF BOTH SECTIONS OF AMERICA — CULMINATION OF THE ANTISLAVERY POLICY OF THE NORTH — MR. LINCOLN'S CONVERSATION WITH A KENTUCKY MEMBER OF CONGRESS — THE WAR A " CRIME " BY MR. LINCOLN'S OWN SHOWING — VIOLA- TION OF PLEDGES AND ARBITRARY ACTS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT — -THE MASK REMOVED AFTER THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM — THE REAL PURPOSE OF EMANCIPATION — MR. DAVIS' ALLUSION TO THE SUBJECT — INDIGNATION OF THE

SOUTH AT THE MEASURE MILITARY OPERATIONS IN TEXAS AND MISSISSIPPI

VICKSBURG PORT HUDSON LOSS OF ARKANSAS POST FEDERAL FLEET RE- PULSED AT CHARLESTON — PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN — UNITY AND CONFIDENCE OF THE SOUTH MR. DAVIS' ADDRESS TO THE COUNTRY IMPOR- TANT EXTRACTS GENERAL LEE PREPARES FOR BATTLE HIS CONFIDENCE

CONDITION OF HIS ARMY — BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE JEFFERSON DAVIS'

TRIBUTE TO STONEWALL JACKSON.

Chapter XV

CONFEDERATE PROSPECTS AFTER THE BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE — THE MIL- ITARY SITUATION PRIMARY OBJECTS OF THE CONFEDERATES AFFAIRS IN

THE WEST — A BRIEF CONSIDERATION OF SEVERAL PLANS OF CAMPAIGN SUG- GESTED TO THE CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES VISIONARY STRATEGY AN OF- FENSIVE CAMPAIGN ADOPTED THE INVASION OF PENNSYLVANIA JUSTIFIED

CONDITION OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA AT THIS PERIOD THE

MOVEMENT FROM THE RAPPAHANNOCK LEADING FEATURES OF THE CONFED- ERATE PLAN LEE'S STRATEGY AGAIN ILLUSTRATED GETTYSBURG A FATAL

BLOW TO THE SOUTH LEE RETURNS TO VIRGINIA THE SURRENDER OF VICKS- BURG OTHER REVERSES EXULTATION OF THE NORTH THE CONFEDERATE

ADMINISTRATION AGAIN ARRAIGNED BY ITS OPPONENTS THE CASE OF GEN- ERAL PEMBERTON POPULAR INJUSTICE TO A GALLANT OFFICER A BRIEF

REVIEW OF THE SUBJECT PEMBERTON's APPOINTMENT RECOMMENDED BY

DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS HIS ABLE ADMINISTRATION IN MISSISSIPPI HIS

RESOLUTION TO HOLD VICKSBURG, AS THE GREAT END OF THE CAMPAIGN

HIS GALLANTRY AND RESOURCES NOBLE CONDUCT OF THIS PERSECUTED OF

FICER A FURTHER STATEMENT THE MISSION OF VICE-PRESIDENT STEPHENS

ITS OBJECTS — PRESIDENT DAVIS SEEKS TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERINGS OF

XIV CONTENTS.

WAR — MAGNANIMITY AND HUMANITY OF THE OFFER — PROUD POSITION IN

THIS MATTER OF THE SOUTH AND HER RULER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

DECLINES INTERCOURSE WITH MR. STEPHENS — EXPLANATION OF ITS MOTIVES — CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN MESSRS. DAVIS AND STEPHENS.

Chapter XVI

OPERATIONS OF GENERAL TAYLOR IN LOUISIANA — THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY IR- RECOVERABLY LOST TO THE CONFEDERACY — FEDERALS FOILED AT CHARLES- TON THE DIMINISHED CONFIDENCE OF THE SOUTH FINANCIAL DERANGE- MENT DEFECTIVE FINANCIAL SYSTEM OF THE SOUTH MR. DAVIS* LIMITED

CONNECTION WITH IT — THE REASONS FOR THE FINANCIAL FAILURE OF THE

CONFEDERACY INFLUENCE OF SPECULATION ANOMALOUS SITUATION OF THE

SOUTH MR. DAVIS' VIEWS OF THE FINANCIAL POLICY OF THE SOUTH AT THE

BEGINNING OF THE WAR — MILITARY OPERATIONS IN TENNESSEE — BRAGG RETREATS TO CHATTANOOGA — MORGAN'S EXPEDITION — SURRENDER OF CUM- BERLAND GAP FEDERAL OCCUPATION OF CHATTANOOGA BATTLE OF CHICKA-

MAUGA — BRAGG'S EXPECTATIONS — GRANTS OPERATIONS — BRAGG BADLY DE- FEATED— PRESIDENT DAVIS' VIEW OF THE DISASTER — GENERAL BRAGG RE- LIEVED FROM COMMAND OF THE WESTERN ARMY CENSURE OF THIS OFFICER

— HIS MERITS AND SERVICES — THE UNJUST CENSURE OF MR. DAVIS AND GEN- ERAL BRAGG FOR THE REVERSES IN THE WEST OPERATIONS IN VIRGINIA

IN THE LATTER PART OF 1863 CONDITION OF THE SOUTH AT THE CLOSE OF

THE YEAR SIGNS OF EXHAUSTION PRESIDENT DAVIS' RECOMMENDATIONS

PUBLIC DESPONDENCY — THE WORK OF FACTION — ABUSE OF MR. DAVIS IN CONGRESS THE CONTRAST BETWEEN HIMSELF AND HIS ASSAILANTS DEFI- CIENCY OF FOOD — HOW CAUSED — THE CONFEDERACY EVENTUALLY CONQUERED BY STARVATION.

Chapter XVII

AN EFFORT TO BLACKEN THE CHARACTER OF THE SOUTH— THE PERSECUTION OF MR. DAVIS AS THE SUBSTITUTE FOR THE ASSUMED OFFENSES OF THE SOUTH —

REPUTATION OF THE SOUTH FOR HUMANITY TREATMENT OF PRISONERS OF

WAR — EARLY ACTION OF THE CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT UPON THE SUBJECT — MR. DAVIS' LETTER TO MR. LINCOLN — THE COBB-WOOL NEGOTIATIONS — PER- FIDIOUS CONDUCT OF THE FEDERAL AUTHORITIES A CARTEL ARRANGED BY

GENERALS DIX AND HILL COMMISSIONER OULD HIS CORRESPONDENCE WITH

THE FEDERAL AGENT OF EXCHANGH — REPEATED PERFIDY OF THE FEDERAL

CONTENTS. XV

GOVERNMENT SUSPENSION OF THE CARTEL CAUSED BY THE BAD FAITH OF

THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION, AND THE SUFFERING WHICH IT CAUSED — EFFORTS OF THE CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES TO RENEW THE OPERATION OF THE CARTEL — HUMANE OFFER OF COMMISSIONER OULD — JUSTIFICATION OF THE CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES — GUILT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT — MR. DAVIS' STATEMENT OF THE MATTER COLONEL OULD's LETTER TO MR. ELD- RIDGE — NORTHERN STATEMENTS: GENERAL BUTLER, NEW YORK TRIBUNE, ETC. — THE CHARGE OF CRUELTY AGAINST THE SOUTH — A CONTRAST BETWEEN ANDERSONVILLE AND ELMIRA — IMPOVERISHMENT OF THE SOUTH — DISREPU- TABLE MEANS EMPLOYED TO AROUSE RESENTMENT OF THE NORTH — THE VIN- DICATION OF THE SOUTH AND OF MR DAVIS HIS STAINLESS CHARACTER, HIS

HUMANITY AND FORBEARANCE — AN INQUIRY OF HISTORY.

Chapter XVIII

indications of popular feeling at the beginning of 1864 — apathy and

despondency of the north improved feeling in the confederacy

the problem of endurance preparations of the confederate government military success the great desideratum a series of successes finnegan's victory in florida — sherman's expedition for-

rest's victory the raid of dahlgren taylor defeats banks

Forrest's Tennessee campaign — hoke's victory — the value of these

minor victories concentration for the great struggles in virginia

and georgia federal preparations — general grant — his theory of

war — his plans the federal forces in virginia sherman feeble

resources of the confederacy the " on to richmond" and " on to

Atlanta" — general grant baffled — he narrowly escapes ruin — his

overland movement a total failure sheridan threatens richmond

death of stuart butler s advance upon richmond the city in

great peril beauregard's plan of operations —views of mr. davis

defeat of butler, and his confinement in a " cul de sac " failure of

grant's combinations constantly baffled by lee terrible losses

of the federal army grant crosses the james his failures repeated his new combinations early's operations in the valley

and across the potomac the federal combinations again broken

down — favorable situation in virginia — the mission of messrs. clay, thompson, and holcombe correspondence with mr. lincoln — the arrogant and mocking reply of the federal president.

XVI CONTENTS.

Chapter XIX. Disappointment At Results Of The Georgia Campaign How Far It "was

PARALLEL WITH THE VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN DIFFERENT TACTICS ON BOTH

SIDES — REMOVAL OF GENERAL JOHNSTON THE EXPLANATION OF THAT

STEP — A QUESTION FOR MILITARY JUDGMENT — THE NEGATIVE VINDICATION OF GENERAL JOHNSTON DIFFERENT THEORIES OF WAR THE REAL PHILOS- OPHY OF THE SOUTHERN FAILURE — THE ODDS IN NUMBERS AND RESOURCES AGAINST THE SOUTH WATER FACILITIES OF THE ENEMY STRATEGIC DIFFI- CULTIES OF THE SOUTH — THE BLOCKADE — INSIGNIFICANCE OF MINOR QUES- TIONS JEFFERSON DAVIS THE WASHINGTON OF THE SOUTH GENERAL JOHN

B. HOOD HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER — HOPE OF THE SOUTH RENEWED

HOOD'S OPERATIONS LOSS OF ATLANTA IMPORTANT QUESTIONS PRESIDENT

DAVIS IN GEORGIA — PERVERSE CONDUCT OF GOVERNOR BROWN — ME. DAVIS

IN MACON AT HOOD'S HEAD-QUARTERS HOW HOOD'S TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN

VARIED FROM MR. DAVIS' INTENTIONS — SHERMAN'S PROMPT AND BOLD CON- DUCT— HOOD'S MAGNANIMOUS ACKNOWLEDGMENT — DESTRUCTION OF THE CON- FEDERATE POWER IN THE SOUTH-WEST.

Chapter XX. Incidents On The Lines Of Richmond And Petersburg During The Summer

AND AUTUMN — CAPTURE OF FORT HARRISON OTHER DEMONSTRATIONS BY

GRANT THE SITUATION NEAR THE CONFEDERATE CAPITAL EARLY'S VALLEY

CAMPAIGN POPULAR CENSURE OF EARLY INFLUENCE OF THE VALLEY CAM- PAIGN UPON THE SITUATION NEAR RICHMOND WHAT THE AGGREGATE OF

CONFEDERATE DISASTERS SIGNIFIED DESPONDENCY OF THE SOUTH THE IN- JURIOUS EXAMPLES OF PROMINENT MEN THE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL LEE

MR.*DAVIS' POPULARITY WHY HE DID NOT FULLY COMPREHEND THE DE- MORALIZATION OF THE PEOPLE HE HOPES FOR POPULAR REANIMATION WAS

THE CASE OF THE CONFEDERACY HOPELESS ? — VACILLATING CONDUCT OF CON- GRESS THE CONFEDERATE CONGRESS A WEAK BODY MR. DAVIS' RELATIONS

WITH CONGRESS — PROPOSED CONSCRIPTION OF SLAVES — FAVORED BY DAVIS AND LEE — DEFEATED BY CONGRESS — LEGISLATION DIRECTED AGAINST THE

PRESIDENT DAVIS' OPINION OF LEE RUMORS OF PEACE HAMPTON ROADS

CONFERENCE THE FEDERAL ULTIMATUM THE ABSURD CHARGE AGAINST

MR. DAVIS OF OBSTRUCTING NEGOTIATIONS HIS RECORD ON THE SUBJECT OF

PEACE — A RICHMOND NEWSPAPER ON THE FEDERAL ULTIMATUM — DELUSIVE SIGNS OF PUBLIC SPIRIT — NO ALTERNATIVE BUT CONTINUED RESISTANCE — ■ REPORT OF THE HAMPTON ROADS CONFERENCE.

CONTENTS. Xvii

Chapter XXI

MILITARY OPERATIONS IN THE EARLY PART OF 1865 — LAST PHASE OF THE MILI- TARY POLICY OF THE CONFEDERACY THE PLAN TO CRUSH SHERMAN CALM

DEMEANOR OF PRESIDENT DAVIS CHEERFULNESS OF GENERAL LEE — THE

QUESTION AS TO THE SAFETY OF RICHMOND — WEAKNESS OF GENERAL LEE's ARMY — PREPARATIONS TO EVACUATE RICHMOND BEFORE THE CAMPAIGN OPENED — A NEW BASIS OF HOPE — WHAT WAS TO BE REASONABLY ANTICI- PATED THE CONTRACTED THEATRE OF WAR THE FATAL DISASTERS AT

PETERSBURG MR. DAVIS RECEIVES THE INTELLIGENCE WHILE IN CHURCH —

RICHMOND EVACUATED — PRESIDENT DAVIS AT DANVILLE — HIS PROCLAMATION SURRENDER OF LEE — DANVILLE EVACUATED — THE LAST OFFICIAL INTER- VIEW OF MR. DAVIS WITH GENERALS JOHNSTON AND BEAUREGARD — HIS AR- RIVAL AT CHARLOTTE — INCIDENTS AT CHARLOTTE — REJECTION OF THE SHER- MAN-JOHNSTON SETTLEMENT — MR. DAVIS' INTENTIONS AFTER THAT EVENT — HIS MOVEMENTS SOUTHWARD — INTERESTING DETAILS — CAPTURE OF MR. DA- VIS AND HIS IMPRISONMENT AT FORTRESS MONROE.

Chapter XXII

MOTIVE OF MR. DAVIS' ARREST — AN AFTER-THOUGHT OF STANTON AND THE BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE — THE EMBARRASSMENT PRODUCED BY HIS CAP- TURE— THE INFAMOUS CHARGES AGAINST HIM — WHY MR. DAVIS WAS TREATED WITH EXCEPTIONAL CRUELTY — THE OUTRAGES AND INDIGNITIES OFFERED HIM — HIS PATIENT AND HEROIC ENDURANCE OF PERSECUTION — HIS RELEASE FROM FORTRESS MONROE — BAILED BY THE FEDERAL COURT AT RICHMOND — JOY OF THE COMMUNITY — IN CANADA — RE-APPEARANCE BEFORE THE FEDERAL COURT — HIS TRIAL AGAIN POSTPONED — CONCLUSION.

LIFE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.

INTRODUCTION.

ATTRACTIONS OP THE LATE WAR TO POSTERITY — MR. LINCOLN'S REMARK — DIS- ADVANTAGES OP MR. DAVIS' SITUATION — SUCCESS NOT SYNONYMOUS WITH MERIT ORIGIN OP THE INJUSTICE DONE MR. DAVIS REMARK OF MACAU- LAY REMARK OP MR. GLADSTONE THE EFFECT THAT CONFEDERATE SUC- CESS WOULD HAVE HAD UPON THE FAME OF MR. DAVIS POPULAR AFFECTION

FOR HIM IN THE SOUTH — HIS VINDICATION ASSURED.

rilO future generations the period in American history, of

-■- most absorbing interest and profound inquiry, will be

that embracing the incipiency, progress, and termination of

the revolution which had its most pronounced phase in the

memorable war of 1861. Historians rarely concur in their

estimates of the limits of a revolution, and usually we find

quite as much divergence in their views of the scope of its

operations, as in their speculations as to its origin and causes,

and their statements of its incidents and results. If, however,

it is difficult to assign, with minute accuracy, the exact limits

and proper scope of those grand trains of consecutive events,

which swerve society from the beaten track of ages, divert